Do solar pool covers really make a difference?

Yes. A cover slows evaporation and overnight heat loss, so you add less water and hold more of the warmth you have paid for. The size of the gain depends on your sun, wind, night temperatures, cover fit, and how often you actually use it.

Should the cover stay on during the day?

On for heat gain, off for swimming. Leaving it on while the pool is idle captures daytime warmth and cuts evaporation. In very hot spells some owners pull it back midday to avoid overheating the water.

Can I run the pump while the cover is on?

Yes. Circulation and filtration run normally with a cover floating on top. Just remember the cover reduces skimmer access, so uncover the pool when you vacuum or do heavier cleaning.

How do I choose the right size?

Measure the longest length and widest width of your pool. Covers are oversized and trimmed down, so a snug final fit matters more than an exact catalog number. Bring your measurements and we will match a size.

How long does a solar cover last?

It depends on the grade, your climate, and how well it is stored, but several seasons is reasonable with regular cleaning and storage out of direct sun. Chlorine and sun exposure are what shorten a cover's life.

Solar Pool Covers in North Easton, MA

Heating a pool through a short New England summer is not cheap, and most of that warmth slips away into the night air. A solar pool cover is the simplest way to hold on to it. At Pool Place Easton we stock two grades of solar cover, help you match one to your pool, and show you how to use it so you get more warm swim days from spring through fall.

Not sure which grade fits your pool?

Tell us your pool size and how you use it, and we will point you to the right solar cover.

Call (508) 238-3438 Ask a question

How a solar pool cover works

A solar cover, also called a solar blanket, is a sheet of tough plastic covered in small insulating air bubbles that floats on the surface of your water. During the day the bubbles let sunlight through and trap its warmth, passing free heat into the pool. After sunset the same cover acts like a lid, slowing the evaporation and heat loss that cool a pool overnight.

That overnight part matters more than most people expect. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that evaporation is the single largest way a pool loses energy, and that covering a pool when it is not in use is the most effective step for cutting heating costs. A cover does not make heat the way a gas or electric heater does. It holds the heat you already have, from the sun or from a heater, in the water where you want it.

Used regularly through the season, a solar pool cover can:

Add free daytime heat from the sun
Hold warmth overnight and through the cool spells common to a Massachusetts spring and fall
Cut evaporation, so you top off the pool less often
Slow how fast chemicals dissipate, since less water evaporates and there is less direct sun on the surface
Keep leaves, dirt, and debris off the water
Stretch your swimming season on both ends

Because a cover slows evaporation, you replace less water and re-balance your chemistry less often. Balanced water still matters, and our in-store professional pool water testing and Poolife pool chemicals make that easy at the start of the season and while the cover is in use.

The two solar covers we carry

We keep two grades in stock so you can weigh heating power against budget and durability. Both share the same edge construction; the real difference is thickness and heat retention.

Standard heavy-duty solar cover. Our everyday cover for warming and protecting the water, built with double perimeter webbing and double-thick straps for strong break strength and season-after-season durability. A sensible pick if you want dependable warming and debris protection without paying for the top grade.

Space-Age silver solar cover. A thicker cover with an added silver layer that reflects heat back into the water. It holds warmth longer and tends to bring the water up faster than the standard grade, which suits owners who open early, swim late, or fight cold nights.

What to compare	Standard heavy-duty	Space-Age silver
Material thickness	Standard	Thicker
Added silver heat layer	No	Yes
Edge construction	Double perimeter webbing, double-thick straps	Double perimeter webbing, double-thick straps
Best suited to	Everyday warming and debris protection	Faster warm-up and stronger overnight heat retention
Reach for it when	You want solid value and reliable performance	You want the most heat you can get from a cover

Neither cover is the right answer for every pool. The standard grade is the practical choice for many backyards; the silver grade earns its place when holding heat is your top priority. Sizes and current stock shift through the season, so call (508) 238-3438 to confirm what is on hand before you drive over.

Ready to choose between the two grades?

Bring your pool dimensions to our North Easton store and we will help you compare the standard and Space-Age silver covers and confirm current sizes.

Call to check stock Contact the team

Choosing the right cover for your pool

A few things point you toward one grade over the other:

Above ground or inground. A solar cover for above ground pools and a cover for an inground pool work on the same principle, so both grades suit either type. If you are still shopping for a pool, ask about our Sharkline above ground pools.
Warm-up speed vs. heat holding. Clearer covers pass more light for quicker daytime gain, while silver-backed covers hold heat better overnight. If cold mornings are your main complaint, the Space-Age silver cover leans that way.
How you handle it. A heavier cover lasts longer but takes more effort on and off the water, which is worth thinking about if you plan to cover the pool every day.
Pairing with a heater. In cooler weather, a cover plus a pool heat pump is far more efficient than a heater alone, because the cover keeps the heat you are paying for instead of letting it escape after dark.

Bring your pool shape and dimensions, round, oval, or rectangular, and we will help you land on the right grade and size.

Sizing, trimming, and everyday use

Solar covers are made a little oversized and trimmed to fit. Let the cover sit in the sun until it relaxes, then cut it to your pool outline with ordinary scissors so it rests neatly on the water. A snug fit traps the most heat and the least debris.

Day to day, a few habits make a real difference:

Lay the cover bubble side down so the bubbles touch the water.
Take the cover off completely before anyone gets in. A solar cover is not a safety cover and is not built to hold any weight.
When the cover is off during a long swim, keep it out of direct sun so the bubbles do not overheat and break down.
Rinse dried chlorine and debris off the cover now and then, and let it dry before folding it away so it lasts more seasons.

Handling a full-size cover by hand gets old quickly. A solar pool cover reel is not something we need to sell you, but it is worth knowing about: a reel rolls the cover on and off in a minute or two and stores it out of the sun, which is why many owners with larger pools eventually add one.

Solar cover vs. winter cover vs. safety cover

These three get confused, and buying the wrong one is an expensive mistake. A solar cover heats and protects the water during the swim season. A winter cover closes the pool for the off-season and keeps debris out while it sits. A safety cover anchors into the deck and is built to help hold weight and keep children and pets out of a closed pool.

A solar blanket does none of that safety work. It floats loose and will not support a person or an animal, so it should never be treated as protection against someone falling in. When the season ends, or if you want a cover rated to hold weight, you need a different product. For that, see our LOOP-LOC safety covers, and our team can walk you through the difference.

Why buy your cover from Pool Place Easton

Ordering a solar pool cover online means guessing at size and grade with no one to ask. At our North Easton store you can talk it through with people who know how local pools behave in April and October, get help measuring, and leave with a cover matched to your pool the same day when it is in stock. If your water needs attention before you cover up, we can test it and sort out chemicals in the same visit.

Get the right solar pool cover from Pool Place Easton

Visit us at 78 Washington St, North Easton, MA 02356. We will help you pick a cover, size it to your pool, and keep your water swim-ready all season.

Call (508) 238-3438 Get directions & hours

Solar pool cover FAQ

Which side of a solar cover faces down, bubbles up or down?
Bubbles down, against the water. The bubbles trap the sun’s heat and pass it into the pool, and they help the cover float. Facing them up wastes the heat and can damage the cover.

Does a solar cover really cut evaporation and heat loss?
Yes. Floating on the surface, it slows both evaporation and overnight heat loss, so you add less water and hold more warmth. How much you gain depends on sun, wind, overnight temperatures, pool size, and how often you use the cover.

Blue, clear, or silver, which should I pick?
Clearer covers favor faster daytime heating; darker and silver-backed covers favor overnight retention. Our Space-Age silver cover is built for retention. Tell us how you use your pool and we will point you to the right one.

Can I cut a solar cover to fit my pool?
Most are trimmed to fit. Let the cover relax in the sun, then trim to your pool shape with scissors. Bring your dimensions and we will help you get it right.

Do I need a solar pool cover reel?
No, but it helps. A reel makes daily on-and-off far easier and protects the cover in storage, which many owners of larger pools appreciate. We do not stock reels, though we are glad to explain your options.

Is a solar cover the same as a safety cover?
No. A solar cover heats the water during the season and cannot hold weight. For a cover that anchors down and helps keep children and pets out of a closed pool, ask us about LOOP-LOC safety covers.

Do you have a solar pool cover in stock for my pool?
Availability changes through the season. Call (508) 238-3438 or email doreen@poolplaceeaston.com to confirm sizes before you visit.